Tribute

Artist: Ozzy Osbourne
Label: Sony
Category: Music

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Format: Live
Media: Audio Cassette

UPC: 074646724040
EAN: 0074646724040
ASIN: B000002B7X

Release Date: 1995-08-22

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Tracks:

I Don't Know
Crazy Train
Believer
Mr. Crowley
Flying High Again
Revelation (Mother Earth)
Steal Away (The Night) [With Drum Solo]
Suicide Solution [With Guitar Solo]
Iron Man
Children of the Grave
Paranoid
Goodbye to Romance
No Bone Movies
Dee [Randy Rhoads Studio Out-takes]

Similar Items:

Diary of a Madman
Blizzard of Oz
No More Tears
Bark at the Moon (Exp)
Just Say Ozzy

Customer Reviews:

Ozzy's finest hour live.......2005-11-13

Tribute (Recorded circa 1981, released 1987.) Ozzy Osbourne's first recorded and second released solo studio album.

INTRODUCTION:
Even though Ozzy Osbourne's solo career remained successful following the death of Randy Rhoads, the young Quiet Riot guitar virtuoso, no fan of his could deny that nothing he was doing afterwards was topping those two classic albums. These were different times - times back when Ozzy actually listened to his fans. Accordingly, he compiled a series of live recording featuring Randy, and created a double-LP live album. This was Ozzy's second solo album to be released as a solo artist (the first of which was the often-forgotten Black Sabbath cover song live album, Speak Of The Devil.) So, how does Ozzy's testament to the fallen Randy Rhoads fare? Read on for my review of Tribute.

OVERVIEW:
Ozzy Osbourne recorded these concerts circa 1981, and released in this double album in 1987. The band formation on these recordings, in addition to the obvious Ozzy Osbourne and Randy Rhoads, also included drummer Tommy Aldridge, keyboardist Don Airey, and bassist Rudy Sarzo. Ozzy produced the album. The tracklist consists of I Don't Know, Crazy Train, Believer, Mr. Crowley, Flying High Again, Revelation (Mother Earth), Steal Away (The Night) [with drum solo], Suicide Solution [with guitar solo], Iron Man, Children Of The Grave, Paranoid, Goodbye To Romance, No Bone Movies, and Dee [studio outtakes.]

REVIEW:
I'm not going to lie. I had serious doubts about this album. Live albums are usually just cash cows released by their respective artists in order to make a quick buck. I figured Ozzy would probably just be using Randy's name and his death to make more money. One listen to this album changed my mind, though! This is a more than fitting tribute, and it lives up to what it was intended to do. Many of the songs surpass their studio counterparts, and thanks to the fact that the release was originally a double LP, it is nice and lengthy (the CD format puts both records onto a single CD.) Let's look at the tracks and see how they fare!

-SIDE A-

-I Don't Know: Originally from Ozzy Osbourne's first solo studio album, Blizzard Of Ozz. I said it once and I'll say it again - The Ozzman knows how to start off an album. Here he uses a minute-long intro with a pre-recorded orchestral arrangement and chanting, along with audience screams, to gain the attention of the listener. After the intro, Ozzy and his band get right into performing this classic tune that originally kicked off Blizzard Of Ozz. This version slays its studio counterpart dead, which is saying a lot since I absolutely loved the studio take on it! There is no better way Ozzy could have kicked this album off.

-Crazy Train: Originally from Ozzy Osbourne's first solo studio album, Blizzard Of Ozz. This here is the Ozzy song that everybody loves, Ozzy/heavy metal fan or not. You probably thought the studio version of the song couldn't be topped, and that's not a bad assumption to make, assuming the studio version was a masterpiece. But just the same, Ozzy and company DO surpass the studio version! Randy Rhoads' guitar playing just sounds better live, and it's a shame his work got no live representation outside this release. This one must be heard to be appreciated.

-Believer: Originally from Ozzy Osbourne's second solo studio album, Diary Of A Madman. One thing you may notice quickly about this album is that it is heavily intensive on Blizzard Of Ozz tracks, and not so much so on the Diary Of A Madman stuff. However, the few Diary tracks that Ozzy did choose for this release are performed very well, and Believer is no exception. This song is very similar to its studio counterpart, and that's a good thing. Yet another solid performance from the Ozzman.

-Mr. Crowley: Originally from Ozzy Osbourne's first solo studio album, Blizzard Of Ozz. Ozzy manages to take another one of his solo classics, and make it even better! Don Airey's classic organ-style introduction sounds better than ever, and I can definitely say the same for the instrumental mastery of the other members of the band. This live recording captures Osbourne, Rhoads, Airey, Aldridge, and Sarzo in their primes. I shouldn't have to tell you this one surpasses its studio counterpart.

-SIDE B-

-Flying High Again: Originally from Ozzy Osbourne's second solo studio album, Diary Of A Madman. Once again, Ozzy manages to do a solid live performance of one his quintessential live classics. It's a tough call as to whether or not this one surpasses its studio counterpart, being that the studio version is the song that got me into Ozzy in the first place and one of my favorite songs he ever did, but one thing is for certain - this performance flat-out rules.

-Revelation (Mother Earth): Originally from Ozzy Osbourne's first solo studio album, Blizzard Of Ozz. I had always thought this was one of the most underrated songs on Blizzard Of Ozz, and it brought me great pleasure to hear Ozzy would have a live rendition on this album. Essentially, this live version is right on par with its studio counterpart. Once again, the Ozzman and company serve up a damn fine live performance.

-Steal Away (The Night) [with drum solo]: Originally from Ozzy Osbourne's first solo studio album, Blizzard Of Ozz. Much like on Blizzard Of Ozz, Revelation (Mother Earth) is immediately followed up by this classic hard rocker. And live, the tune sounds as good as ever. This version is followed up by a drum solo by Tommy Aldridge, and I shouldn't have to tell you that, being the drummer he is, he serves up one hell of a solo.

-SIDE C-

-Suicide Solution [with guitar solo]: Originally from Ozzy Osbourne's first solo studio album, Blizzard Of Ozz. The studio version of this song was one of my favorite Ozzman solo songs, and this version blows the original out of the water! Randy Rhoads is in his prime on this one, and to make things even better, he dishes out a guitar solo following the main portion of the song! And I shouldn't have to tell you it will blow you away. Probably my favorite song on the album.

-Iron Man: Originally from Black Sabbath's second studio album, Paranoid. I was a little confused as to Ozzy performing these Black Sabbath songs in his new solo band, but he actually fares fairly well with them. Randy Rhoads is no Tony Iommi or vice verse, but giving these songs the eighties metal sound actually works pretty well. This version lacks the last verse, but it's no big deal.

-Children Of The Grave: Originally from Black Sabbath's third studio album, Master Of Reality. Any Black Sabbath fan knows that this song is one of their finest compositions. And giving Randy control of the guitar parts makes for an interesting listen, combining the old and new sounds alike. In the end you get one hell of a fine rendition of this classic tune.

-Paranoid: Originally from Black Sabbath's second studio album, Paranoid. Essentially, what I said about the last two Black Sabbath covers is also true here. It sounds drastically different from the original version of the song Ozzy did with Sabbath, but the new, updated sound works surprisingly well. This is one of Ozzy's favorite renditions of this song, and it isn't hard to see why.

-SIDE D-

-Goodbye To Romance: Originally from Ozzy Osbourne's first solo studio album, Blizzard Of Ozz. I never thought Ozzy would have put this song on the album, being that it was mostly a testament to the hard rock that he and Randy put out. Nonetheless, I am glad to see it here. The song allows you to see the melodic side of the music the twosome created - Randy's most underrated side. And this rendition is right on par with its studio counterpart.

-No Bone Movies: Originally from Ozzy Osbourne's first solo studio album, Blizzard Of Ozz. Here's that underrated classic from Blizzard that people never really gave the proper credit to, often dissing it as the weakest piece on the album. I never agreed with any of that to begin with. And this live version blows the studio one away! Randy absolutely shines on his guitar parts here.

-Dee [studio outtakes]: Originally from Ozzy Osbourne's first solo studio album, Blizzard Of Ozz The album doesn't end when the concert ends! As an extra of sorts, we get to hear Randy Rhoads rehearsing the classic acoustic piece he put on Blizzard Of Ozz. This is NOT a bonus track; it has been on the album since its initial vinyl release. It makes for a nice way to close the album, because it makes you miss Randy all the more.

OVERALL:
Overall, this is a solid album from start to finish. It stands as the ultimate pinnacle of the work that Ozzy Osbourne and Randy Rhoads did during their short union together. If you are at all a fan of Ozzy's solo work, you would be doing yourself a real favor picking up this album. It's not one of those cash cow live albums so many other artists have released over the years - it's a tribute to a great musician. Highly recommended!

EDITION NOTES:
With most Ozzy albums, there are several different editions of the album and I have comments on each. Not the case with Tribute. Basically, all three editions of this album are the same, other than the liner notes and little differences in sound quality. There is the original CD issue, the 1995 remaster, and the 2002 remaster. Each version puts both records onto a single CD. I personally recommend getting the 2002 remaster, as it is the most readily available version of the album, and in my opinion, the best-sounding one as well.

Where's the Revelation?.......2003-05-20

First off this is a great CD. Anybody who loves great guitar playing, especially great LIVE guitar playing, will love this album. Randy Rhoads was a really great guitar player that had a big impact on 80's guitar playing and that whole shredder attitude. The soloing on all the songs are exceptional, highlights including:Crazy Train, Mr.Crowley, and Suicide Solution with one of the most memorable unaccompanied guitar solos ever. But after scanning the other reviews, I saw very little comments about Revelation Mother Earth. This is one of the best songs on the album and the solo is damn great! The only downer is the Dee outtakes which are just boring until he really gets to some playing. But this is a great CD for some great Randy Rhoads, some great Ozzy vocals, and early 80's hard rock at its best.

Man, this guy as a lot of live albums..........2003-02-06

Another typical concert with lots of "i love you all's" and "i'm the mad man's". Still, it is a pretty good overview of his career with the essential early ozzy and early sabbath hits all here.

I think if you have this album and speak of the devil, it is all of the live ozzy you would need. the sound on the remastered album is really cleaned up, and the packaging has lots of interesting information

Go Ahead, Buy It. But Lets Clear A Few Things Up First.......2002-07-02

O.K. don't get me wrong, this is a butt-kicking live album. I think the music on here is great. It has a monster guitar solo by Randy himself, and a not-so bad drum solo by Tommy Aldridge. Song selction is good(could have used some more from Diary Of A Madman though), sound quality is good, all around kicks butt. So this album is completely flawless. WRONG!

I think Ozzy should go directly to hell for this. It says in the booklet that "Not A Day Goes By When I Don't Think Of Him, He Is Dearly Missed". If you believe this for 5 seconds then you are an idiot. OK think about this: Randy died in early 1982. This was a time when Ozzy's career was at it's peak. He had just released two killer albums "Blizzard Of Ozz", and "Diary Of A Madman". At that time in 1982 he did not release a Tribute album. Then the years go by and his career starts to go downward he puts out the alright "Bark At The Moon", and the absolutly disgraceful "The Ultimate Sin". Then he feels that he needs to release a Tribute Album. It was a complete money-making move. His purpose in releasing this was not to pay tribute to one of the best rock n roll guitarist of all times, and his life long friend. NO. It was to bring in some more money and hopefully bring his career back up to standards as it was back in 1980. I just really hate to think that one of my favorite artists(Ozzy) used the death of his dearest friend to make money. I repeat: HE USED RANDY'S DEATH TO MAKE MORE MONEY.

Even before this he did have a semi tribute anyway. Yes the 1982 release "Speak Of The Devil" which was a compelation of live Black Sabbath songs was paying his respects to Randy. So why release another one? Answer:Money, Merchandising, Comercialism.

So in conclusion the music is very good, but know that Ozzy at this time really did not give a flip about Randy's death.

Phenomenal..........2002-05-30

I've just purchased my second copy of this CD, the first being permanently borrowed by a former friend 9 years ago or so. The album however is just as I remember it. It opens with the La Fortuna chorus from Carl Orff's "Carmina Burana", a rock gesture that is effective if somewhat cliche'd. Of course there is no shortage of contrived rock gestures here - Osbourne works the crowd with the requisiste "We love you all"s and bellows of "Rock'n'roll", but somehow it's not difficult to suspend jaded disbelief and be sucked into the atmosphere of what is a truly phenomenal series of live performances.

And now to Randy Rhoads, the undisputed star of this show. His playing is incredibly fast, flawlessly executed, often searingly beautiful, and EXCITING. Randy totally attacks each of the songs, effortlessly filling the role of what would ordinarily be two guitarists. Each track is laden with galloping fills and frantic runs, squeals and slides, and some of his solos are heart-stopping. The best tracks for me are "I don't know", "Crazy Train", "Mr Crowley" and "Suicide Solution". This last is perhaps the ultimate highlight - Randy is all over the song, embellishing what is in truth a rather neanderthal riff with a frenzy of electrifying licks. Towards the end Osbourne halts the song and introduces his "new guitarist" who after a masterful crescendo of feedback launches into what is the most astonishing guitar solo I think I have ever heard. Randy unleashes his guitar with a series of awesome solo sections. His style is to construct jagged edifices of sound and fury, then to dissolve these impatiently with pick glissando before creating something even more awesome. The last section especially is a rapid figure that Randy attacks with unparalled ferocity and plays impossibly faster and faster before heralding the song's refrain.

This album is a testament to what was truly a tragic loss for guitar and for music. Randy's playing sounds a bit out of place on some of the numbers (particularly the old Sabbath classics "Paranoid" and "Iron Man" - Randy's virtuosity simply overflows the dimensions of these Tony Iommi songs) but all in all if you're a fan of guitar then this album is highly recommended. Awesome!

Music CD:

Music CD

Double Dose ~ Hot Tuna

Sneakers/Rockfield Sessions ~ Flamin' Groovies

Hoodlum ~ Original Soundtrack

Here I Am ~ Chris Moutas